Video gaming terminals arrive in Carmi

The long-awaited arrival of video gaming terminals have arrived in Carmi. The first five machines within the city limits of Carmi were installed by J and J Ventures in Carmi Monday, Jan. 28 and went "live" Monday, Feb. 4 at Danny's Pool Room. The facility can offer a maximum of five machines and area residents were waiting patiently as the machines went online Monday morning around 10:30 a.m.

The long-awaited arrival of video gaming terminals have arrived in Carmi. The first five machines within the city limits of Carmi were installed by J and J Ventures in Carmi Monday, Jan. 28 and went "live" Monday, Feb. 4 at Danny's Pool Room. The facility can offer a maximum of five machines and area residents were waiting patiently as the machines went online Monday morning around 10:30 a.m.

"We started the application process last June," said Lindy Satterfield, owner and operator of Danny's Pool Room. "Then, I was fingerprinted and cleared by the Illinois State Police, FBI and Homeland Security. We received our permit for operation from the Department of Justice in D.C. It is quite a process."

Satterfield, longtime owner of the establishment on Main Street, noted there are several requirements before permits are issued. The facility must have a video system and burglar alarm. Danny's Pool Room received their final license Jan. 24 with the "okay to go."

"We've had quite a few asking about the machines," said Satterfield. "It is a voucher system. The machines accept paper money and shoot out a voucher. We pay out from the amount on the voucher through the terminal connected into the system. We aren't in charge of taking money in or out. That is all regulated by the state. My money from them comes in the form of a check."

The maximum bet on each of the video gaming terminals is $2 maximum per spin. Of the money inserted into the machines, 35 percent goes to the operator, J and J Ventures, 35 percent goes to Danny's Pool Room and 30 percent goes to the state with five percent of that amount coming directly back to the city. Bars are limited to five machines per location while clubs can have up to seven machines installed.

Within the first 30 minutes of play, a winner cashed out a voucher. Steve Anselment was the first official player and the first official winner at Danny's Pool Room, cashing in a $20 voucher.

"I'm glad the machines are here," said Satterfield. "It's a good way to keep the money in the state and in the city instead of out of state for the riverboats and casinos."

Satterfield has been involved with Danny's Pool Room almost since its inception in the mid 1970s. His older brother, Danny, eventually purchased a portion of it and Satterfield has been part of the operation and ownership for the past 30 years. He now owns all of it and the business has been steady for him throughout the past three decades.

In addition to the video gaming terminals, Danny's Pool Room offers weekly pool tournaments at 7:30 p.m. each Wednesday. An entry fee of $5 is charged and the prize money varies depending on entries into the weekly tournament.

The four pool tables in the facility also host an annual Broomstick Tournament set for Saturday, Feb. 23. All billiards players will use broomsticks in the contest and a portion of the proceeds from the event will go to Brownsville Attendance Center.

Page 2 of 2 - Satterfield is very in tune with supporting local causes. Danny's Pool Room also supports a local Poker Run each June with proceeds going to the Guardian Center.

Danny's Pool Room is open Monday through Saturday 7:30 a.m. until 11:30 p.m. The video gaming terminals are available during that time as well and are turned on and off to match operation times of the facility by the state.

For more information, call Danny's Pool Room at 382-9987 or visit them on Facebook at Danny's Pool Room.